“Yes, ma’am,” I reply, quickly. “And Black Spruce Ranch.”
She hums in understanding as she tightens her blond ponytail, ensuring it won’t come loose throughout the day. How she keeps track of everything without losing her mind, I have no idea.
“Make sure you get new X-rays on that leg scheduled,” she reminds me. “David isn’t particularly patient, and I’d rather you give him an extended timeline than have him pushing an already short recovery time.”
I don’t have decades in the field like she does, but I know how to handle one of the most common racehorse fractures.
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply. “I’ve got him on the schedule for X-rays in three days, today is just a quick recheck.”
Regardless, Chase’s Babe had a non-displaced condylar fracture that I already set and screwed back into place. She’s already 15 days into her 90-day rehabilitation program, and I expect her to be back in the ring quickly enough if there aren’t any complications.
“Good,” Dr. Sarah says with a sharp nod. “I need to check in with Anthony about surgery for this morning. I’ll leave you to it.”
She unfolds from her seat as I pull my own chair out and pats me on the shoulder as she walks past. Dr. Sarah is a strict boss, and she expects excellence, but she does believe I’m capable of delivering on that.
Some days, that’s all that gets me through, especially when I have clients like David Chase to deal with. I like my days to be as low stress as I can keep them, and Everett’s ranch is usually one place where I can be sure I’ll be treated well, even if everything goes to shit. Now that Wayne is home, though, my days therehave become an exhausting balancing act. He’s already been back for two weeks, and he’s been a relentless flirt the whole time. I can’t do anything on the ranch without running into him.
It’s laughable, really, seeing Wayne Riggs trotting around in dusty fields after me, but the amusement of it is starting to wear off.
He keeps bringing me coffee, even though I show up with my own cup every day. If I’m in the office writing up notes or leaving Everett a list of heifers to keep an eye on, Wayne is right there, not-so-subtly tapping away on his laptop and shooting me glances every five seconds.
It’s more than a little pathetic, but I can’t deny that a part of me enjoys watching my high school bully obsess over me.
Today is a day for rechecks and planning, so none of my technicians are coming with me. It’ll be nice to have the day to be alone with my thoughts. I pack up everything I’ll need for today into my travel bag before heading out. It should be a fairly slow day, so on the way I decide to stop at my favorite coffee shop, Daily Grind, to treat myself. I’m craving something sweet.
As soon as I step through the doors, I regret this decision.
A group of girls I went to school with are in line ahead of me. They’re talking loudly and sharing laughs. Most of them are fine — I’m even friendly with a few of them — but in their midst is the one person on Earth more annoying than Wayne.
Funnily enough, she’s his ex, Vicky, a curvy bombshell with straight black hair.
“Ofcoursewe’re hooking up again,” Vicky scoffs, loud and unashamed as the group orders their coffees. “He’s never been able to resist all of this. He was obsessed with me in high school, and nothing’s changed.”
Leaving might be a good idea. I have no doubt she’s talking about Wayne, and it’s not a surprise, but the thought still bringsa sour taste to my tongue. I’m now feeling embarrassed I slept with Wayne in the first place.
Before I can step out of line and head back to my car, though, Jade catches my eye. She raises her hand in a wave, clearly looking for a way out of her conversation with Vicky.
I bite back a wince, watching my chance to escape drain away, and force a smile as I wave back. I like Jade, but I’m not in any mood to be social, especially not with someone like Vicky.
“Katie, how are you?” she asks over Vicky’s continued rambling about sleeping with Wayne. “It’s been a while.”
I saw her last week when she brought her dog into the clinic.
“Uh, yeah, ages,” I say, as they step out of the way. I glance up at the menu and quickly direct my attention to the barista. “Can I get a large mocha, iced?” I tap my card and type the code, then I turn my attention back to Jade. “I’m good. Busy with work, you know how it is. How are you?”
Before she can answer, Vicky reaches out and squeezes my bicep. The gesture is friendly, but the subtle dig of her long acrylic nails into my skin isn’t, and neither is the bitterness in her eyes. Can’t she give up on the whole head cheerleader bit and develop a real personality? We’re almost 30.
“Oh, gosh, Katie,” she gushes, fluttering a hand over the low cut of her top. “I didn’t even see you there. I’msosorry.”
My brows furrow in confusion, and I pull out of her hold.
“For what?” I ask hesitantly.
Her lips are painted bright red, and the way they twitch into a smile as she talks takes any sense of apology out of her words.
“You probably overheard about me and Wayne, right?” she asks, poisonously sweet. “You were, like, in love with him in school, weren’t you? I didn’t mean to upset you.”
I burst out laughing. Vicky looks hurt, and I stifle my guffaws into my fist, trying — and failing — to pretend it’s a cough. As my mocha slides across the counter, alongside a few of thedrinks from Vicky’s group, there’s an awkward silence between us. Part of me feels like I’m back in high school, belittled and mocked and beaten down. I refuse to let myself slip back into that headspace. I’ve changed, and I’m not a little girl anymore. Vicky’s opinions don’t mean shit.
